Teacher’s in the UK paid higher salaries then those in most countries

Primary school teachers in England are among the youngest in the world but they still earn almost £4,000 more on average than their counterparts across the rest of the OECD

However think-tank’s latest study of education shows that teachers in English primary schools spent less time in class than their peers elsewhere. England’s primary teachers delivered 684 hours of lessons in 2011, significantly below the OECD average of 786 hours.

In the USA teachers spent 1,097 hours in front of their classes in 2011. English primary teachers’ starting salaries were also relatively generous, at around £19,600, compared with an OECD average of £18,700.

Teachers in Spain and Korea are paid more, staff in English schools receive “pretty close to what an average worker” with a university degree would earn..’ – Andreas Schleicher

The report also states that a massive 60 per cent of the UK’s primary teaching workforce are under the age of 40. This makes teachers in the UK significantly younger than average.

Lee Thomas, head of Meadowlane Primary School in  Cardiff, said young teachers  bring with them enthusiasm  and new ideas.

“They create an energy that can  help older members of staff as  well… things are changing and  you have to be able to move  with the pace,” he said.

“It’s a lot different to when we  were in school. Children are  given a lot more freedom to  think and learn independently.  The best thing about bringing  youngsters into the classroom  is their energy – they are keen  to do things and change  things.”

Mr Thomas said the fact  younger teachers train in new  technologies during college  helps when they enter the  workforce itself.